Opposing Rice = More Evidence Republicans Are Racist

MSNBC.com Executive Editor Richard Wolffe: “It’s outrageous
that there is this witch hunt going on on the right about these people of
color, let’s face it, around this President: Eric Holder, Valerie Jarrett, now
Susan Rice; before it was Van Jones. This is not about who is hawkish in the
same way John McCain is about foreign policy, because if you look at Iran and
Libya, Susan Rice checks those boxes. This is a personal vendetta. It’s about
presidential authority.”Host Chris Matthews: “So, you think McCain is being — McCain
and people like Lindsey Graham, McCain, who had his own daughter attacked,
where he was accused of having an illegitimate child when, in fact, he adopted
a young girl from South Asia — you’re saying that McCain’s being driven by
racial prejudice here?”Wolffe: “There is no other way to look at this....”— MSNBC’s Hardball, November 19.

It’s Also Racist to Say Obama Won the “Urban” Vote

Chris Matthews: “Up next: What did Paul Ryan mean when he
blamed President Obama’s victory last week on the urban vote? Do you like that
word? Is he blowing that dog whistle again?...There’s more of this dog whistle
crap going on. Here’s Paul Ryan expressing his surprise at the pro‑Obama
turnout in an interview Monday....”Rep. Paul Ryan: “I think the surprise was some of the
turnout, some of the turnout in — especially in urban areas, which definitely
gave President Obama the big margin to win this race.”— Hardball, November 14. In fact, exit polls show Obama won
a large majority of the vote (62%) in large cities, while losing suburban and
rural voters to Mitt Romney.

Journalists Demand Liberal Action from Obama

“Mr. President, on the fiscal cliff, two years ago you said
that you wouldn’t extend the Bush era tax cuts, but at the end of the day, you
did. So, respectfully sir, why should the American people and the Republicans
believe that you won’t cave again this time?”— CNN’s Jessica Yellin to Obama at his November 14 press
conference.

“What specifically do you plan to do in a second term to
tackle the issue of climate change? And do you think the political will exists
in Washington to pass legislation that could include some kind of a tax on carbon?”— Question to Obama from New York Times correspondent Mark
Landler.

“On immigration reform, the criticism in the past has been
that you did not put forth legislation with specific ideas and send it up to
the Hill. This time around, you have said again that this will be one of the
top priorities for a second term. Will you then send legislation to the Hill?
And exactly what do you envision is broad immigration reform — does that
include a legalization program?”— Question to Obama from Telemundo’s Lori Montenegro.

ABC Anchor Raves Over “Obama Smackdown”

“There’s nothing like a re‑election to give the President a
jolt of confidence....The 44th President today was ready to rumble. You heard
and saw it most dramatically when he leapt to the defense on Susan Rice, his
ambassador to the United Nations....An Obama smackdown.”— Co‑anchor Terry Moran on ABC’s Nightline, November 14.

NBC Fawningly Compares Obama to Movie Prez

Anchor Brian Williams: “And then, John McCain said that if
the President puts up his U.N. Ambassador, Susan Rice, to replace Hillary
Clinton as Secretary of State, she will be blocked, they’ll do everything in
their power. That’s where the President today, almost conjuring the wording of
Aaron Sorkin from the movie American President, as will be pointed out all day,
really decided to throw down.”NBC’s Andrea Mitchell: “This was ‘President Andrew Shepherd’
really coming through in the East Room of the White House....It was dramatic.”— Exchange during live coverage following Obama’s press
conference, November 14. [MP3 audio[1] (1:09)]

Pushing Republicans to Accept Obama’s Tax Hikes

“You talked about tax reform; the President is talking about
specific increases. He campaigned on specific increases in tax rates from 35%
to 39% for those making more than $250,000. So, is that on the table, right
now?...But is it on the table to talk about, because he campaigned on it, 60
percent of the voters have said that they are ready to raise these taxes. They
are ready to have the wealthier Americans pitch in.”— ABC anchor Diane Sawyer to House Speaker John Boehner in
an interview, excerpts of which were shown on World News November 8 and Good
Morning America November 9.

Correspondent Jon Karl: “If there was one issue that the
President campaigned on, it was raising taxes on the wealthy, every, single
speech he gave. Doesn’t he have a mandate there? The top earners — seeing them
pay more of their fair share as the President put it?...Could you see yourself
supporting a plan that raises tax rates on the top two percent?...So, you don’t
support a plan?”Representative Paul Ryan (R‑WI): “I don’t want to get into
negotiating with the media, but I do not support raising tax rates.”— Interview segment shown on Good Morning America, November
14. [MP3 audio[2] (0:52)]

Phony Document Peddler Dan Rather Lectures GOP to Get More
“Fact‑Based”

“Republicans, their number one need is to get in touch with
a fact‑based world, that they are now in the position of being pictured like a
man who wears spats to the office or something — so far out of touch that it is
unrealistic.”— Dan Rather on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show, November 14. [MP3 audio[3] (0:57)]

Time for Republicans to Purge Conservative “Extremists”

Fill‑in co‑host Mario Cantone: “What do you think the
Republican Party has to do to fix themselves....What do you think?”MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough: “Yeah. They’ve got to stop
listening to the most extreme people in their party.” [Applause]Co‑host Whoopi Goldberg: “Say it one more time. One more
time. One more time, Joe, please say it.”Scarborough: “It’s very simple. They’ve got to stop
listening to the most extreme people in their party, whether it’s on talk radio
or on cable news or on the internet.”— ABC’s The View, November 9. [MP3 audio[4] (0:57)]

NBC political director Chuck Todd: “Let’s look back at the
Republican Party. How did they become a coalition of special interest forces?
They really do look like the Democratic Party of the ’70s and ’80s where they
seem to — the leaders in Washington can’t control the special interest
groups....”Ex‑McCain advisor Steve Schmidt: “Conservatism is a serious
governing philosophy that has served this country well. But to too many swing
voters in the country, when you hear the word ‘conservative’ now, they think of
loons and wackos....Our elected leaders are scared to death of the conservative
entertainment complex, the shrill and divisive voices that are bombastic and broadcasting
out into the homes. And this country is rejecting the social extremism of the
Republican Party on issue after issue.”— NBC’s Meet the Press, November 11.

Hillary: Most “Qualified Human Being” to Be Next Prez

“Can you think of a more qualified human being? She lived in
the White House for eight years with another President, she was a United States
Senator, and now she’s got every world leader on speed dial, so there’d be no
questions about her qualifications.”— Co‑host Willie Geist on NBC’s Today, November 12. [MP3 audio[5] (0:56)]

Bloomberg a “Brave Thinker” for Banning Big Sodas

Fill‑in anchor Richard Lui: “The Atlantic Monthly has
honored some of American’s most provocative thinkers for more than 150 years.
In their latest issue, they reveal their picks for this year’s brave thinkers —
people who have risked their reputations, fortunes and lives in the pursuit of
big ideas....To the cover now, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. You
interviewed him. What did you select that made him stand out?”Editor James Bennet: “Well, it is a kind of lifetime
achievement award for Mayor Bloomberg, but the specific thing this year was his
pursuit of the soda ban and the ban on sugary drinks served in containers that
are more than 16 ounces in size.”— MSNBC’s Jansing & Co., November 19.

Hyping a Global Warming “Catastrophe” — “A World Without
Coffee”

Co‑host Dan Harris: “If you’re drinking your morning cup of
coffee right now, prepare to do a spit take. We’ve got potentially catastrophic
news for you.”...Correspondent John Muller: “The coffee bean may be going to
way of the dinosaur. We’re talking about extinction if you believe this new
study, which says coffee may be extinct sooner than you think....A new study is
dark with no sugar. It says climate change has the wild Arabica coffee plant
headed for extinction as soon as the year 2080....Imagine it: a world without
coffee.”— Good Morning America, November 11.

Choosing to Vote with an Eighth‑Grade Mentality

“Rafi, 12, said Romney wants to ‘take from the poor and give
to the rich.’ Ariana, 14, said if Romney wins, she wants to leave the USA and
move to her second favorite country — the Netherlands. Andre, 14, says he likes
Obama because the President knows ‘playing basketball is a good way to relax
and get your mind straightened out.’ Reflecting on our kids’ thoughts on the
presidential election, I’m not suggesting that your children should determine your
vote. But I strongly urge you to consider their opinions. It’s that background
that helped Obama get my vote.”— USA Today founder Al Neuharth recounting the views of his
kids and how he voted, November 9 column.

Post‑Election “Unity” = Flicking Off Ann Coulter

“We’re all Americans. Let’s unite. Let’s be as one. It’s not
a time to gloat. [screaming] Yeah!!! Ann Coulter: This one’s for you, baby!”— Actor/comedian Robert Klein, celebrating Obama’s win by
flicking off Coulter, on the November 12 Late Show with David Letterman on CBS. [MP3 audio[6] (0:46)]

“Orgasmic” At Obama’s Re‑Election?

Host Jay Leno: “Well, Obama was re‑elected. You must be
orgasmic.” [laughing]Chris Matthews: “You know, I never thought of that word in
this context, but it’s a good metaphor.”— NBC’s Tonight Show, November 16.

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